This study of David Hume suggests that the unity of his
thought Is to be found more In an attitude of mind than In
a precise body of epistemological statements. His
'mitigated scepticism' was the original combination of an
experimental approach with a searching mind and a rather
disenchanted attitude towards the attainment of perfection
In knowledge and In the practical world. But my thesis
addresses these questions only Implicitly. The general
picture of the Humean approach to things political and
phi losophlcal Is depicted against the background of a close
examination of two other themes: Hume's development towards
a more 'popular' phi losophy and the phi losophlcal Import of
his moral and political theory. The first subject Is
studied through an analysis of the formal qualities of
Hume's phi losophlcal writings; the second, through a
discussion of Hume's position on the origin of Justice and
government and one's obi Igatlon to them. The conclusion
that my thesis tentatively advances Is that both In
metaphysics and politics Hume's approach Is based upon the
attainment of a state of equl IIbrlum between theoretical
and practical considerations, and between sceptical and
naturalistic tendencies. Hume's desire for balance can only
be understood within the Intellectual context of eighteenth
century thought. This Is the reason for the considerable
attention that the thesis devotes to the reconstruction of
the historical setting within which Hume's thought
developed. However, when correctly Interpreted, Hume's
Ideas clearly have a contribution to make to an
understanding of a world which Is very different from his
own.

Supervisor:

Not available

Sponsor:

Not available

Qualification Name:

Thesis (Ph.D.)

Qualification Level:

Doctoral

EThOS ID:

uk.bl.ethos.382506

DOI:

Not available

Keywords:

Philosophy of David Hume Philosophy Religion Political science Public administration History